《声音》启明星专刊 VOICES for Daystar Academy VOICES Fall/Winter Edition 2018 | Page 14

DS BEIGAO ELC Reflections on Todd Parr’s Visit By Riaan Nagel, Kindergarten A English Teacher A few months ago, I found out that our Early Childhood Center (ELC) at Daystar Academy will host a world-renowned children’s book author. I felt very fortunate to have a famous author come and visit our students and I was very eager to use this opportunity to provide my students with the chance to experience something that they have never experienced before. Then I found out that this famous author was going to be Todd Parr. I was thrilled, overjoyed and extremely excited all at once. I mean this is a man who has written more than 40 books for children, including the New York Times bestselling “The I Love You Book”, “The Earth Book”, and “The Thankful Book”. I immediately started thinking of various activities and learning opportunities that I could do with my students that would generate curiosity and help them gain new knowledge. This was because I have read and used Todd Parr’s books countless times over the past 12 years Daystar Academy Fall/Winter Edition 2018 with my students there was no shortage of amazing activities. I could go on for hours talking about what my class and I did in the lead up to Todd Parr’s visit but that would take too long...! Rather, I would like to take this opportunity to tell you about two instances that were very memorable to me. The first memorable experience happened while we were reading the book “It’s Okay to Be Different.” I chose this book because it is a great tool for teaching diversity and tolerance with Kindergarten students. My children were attracted by the simple and colorful look of the book and characters. In the book, Todd Parr showcases various ways that we are different and that it is Ok to be so. On page seven, Todd tells us that “… it’s ok to have wheels.” The picture of a green colored boy on a purple colored wheel chair instantly resonated in a very strong and